Fair Grounds Picks: Risen Star Day All-Stakes LP5 Ticket for February 19

The Fair Grounds Racetrack returns for another weekend! February arrives ... and there are stakes races aplenty, as we head towards the Louisiana Derby! A pair of races that directly affect trips to Churchill ... the KYD and the Oaks ... are on the docket today in New Orleans, and we have you covered with an All-Stakes Late Pick 5 ticket. The Grade 2s are here ... the Risen Star ... the Rachel Alexandra anchor a whopping 13-race card!  

At Horseracing.net/us we have you covered! It is a good time for some of the best that North American racing has to offer. Stay tuned! If you're looking for picks elsewhere around the country this Saturday be sure to check out our free Horse Racing Picks via the gold button below. Do not forget to follow us on Twitter ... @Horseracing_USA ...

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ALL-STAKES LATE PICK 5…

LEG 1: (Race 9: Turf, 1 1/16th, Stall Memorial S., $100k, F&M 4+)

The start of this Super Saturday is going to heat up quickly on the turf at the Fair Grounds. The Stall Memorial, named for that famed LA conditioner, brings together a good group of 10 routers. When it comes to a top selection, I am swayed by a pair of entries. The “last out” exploits of Cherie DeVaux’s Amiche #8 look promising. I liked the effort that this filly gave in the Pago Hop $75k going a mile on the grass. I know she yielded in the end to Lovely Ride, but that was a tough race. Character building is what I chalk it up to … With Brian Hernandez back aboard, who is riding exceptionally well right now, expect this one by Malibu Moon to be there in the end. If she can get loose on the lead, this one ... might end up being hers. Just in case she cannot make the engine, and rate well, then I also want to make a case for Brendan Walsh’s I Hear You #9. Talk about a good price on the M/L … 10/1 with Tyler Gaffalione! I like a horse that is elevating at the right time, and also is getting back to what they like to do. In this case, that means running on the grass, and even though she did not get to do that because of a wet track, she should appreciate the move. By the way, that 1 1/8th was a winner for the mare by Street Sense by a nice 5+ lengths. Gaffalione rolls into town, and his pressing ability on this surface is well-known. Let’s use both of these, and maybe we can get some prices, right out of the gate!

Selections: 8/9 (2-Deep)

LEG 2: (Race 10: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Mineshaft S. (G3), $250k, 4+)

I know this is going to sound kooky … strange … maybe surreal, but I believe that Silver Prospector #2 is a clear “Single” in this P5 sequence. I am supremely confident that the 5-yr-old by Declaration of War is the play because he combines all of the elements that you want in a spot like this one. I know his last effort at Oaklawn in the 5th Season $150k was not much to write home about, but that was because of a brutal post position. He really had no shot breaking from out there. Now, he comes with class, an impressive HOF trainer, and gets Joel Rosario in the irons. I think there is a compelling argument to be made about runners that do not get to work out as much because of weather. Hot Springs had a week of it recently, and though it put a wrench in the schedule, horses can come out firing off of that kind of break. Asmussen’s entry could be one of those … There is probably no way he is going to be 15/1 come post time on Saturday … dare to dream. I think his back class is undeniable and I will wager significantly on this one to “win” outside of this ticket. Write this down … he wins for the owners, the Orrs.

Selections: 2 (Single)

LEG 3: (Race 11: Turf, 1 1/8th, Fair Grounds S. (G3), $150k, 4+)

A couple of times this week, rain hit the New Orleans area, and just to be safe, the track decided to move the regular grass races to the dirt. We probably will have firm conditions on Saturday, but it is difficult to gauge how the course will set up. Watching undercard contests earlier in the day is probably a good idea, as the LP5 approaches. In this spot, we have a number of alums from the Col. Bradley $100k, which took place back on 22 Jan. Forty Under #2 (1st), Halo Again #7 (2nd), Two Emmys #11 (3rd), and Cavalry Charge #1 (4th), all are back at it, and I am not really impressed with any of them. Tossing them out … Instead, I much prefer a trio of turfers that look incredible for different reasons. Brendan Walsh sends Santin #3 back to the grass for the 1st time since the Hollywood Derby (G1) at Del Mar back in November. The colt by Distorted Humor just missed by a neck that afternoon for Godolphin. He has matured over the past few months, and has the ability to do much more. We cannot ignore the presence of Chad Brown, and his new acquisition, Adhamo #6. The Dubb and Madaket consortium is bringing this German bred, French runner, that competed in Group Co. The best the son of Intello (GER) ever did was a win at Longchamp (FR) last April, but if he can bring that experience stateside, then he could be a player in this distance division. Last, but certainly not least, I am pretty keen on the abilities of Todd Pletcher’s Largent #10. Finally straying from the friendly confines of S. Florida, this one comes to the Crescent City with all sorts of back class. Eclipse Thoroughbreds sought to invest in this son of super sire Into Mischief, and that is good enough for me. With expert rider Luis Saez packing his bag for the “Big Easy,” I know this runner is going to be involved in what could be a blanket finish. My play at this stage is go 3-Deep … save some cash … a tough pair of contests winds up this horizontal.

Selections: 3/6/10 (3-Deep)

LEG 4: (Race 12: Dirt, 1 1/16th, Rachel Alexandra S. (G2), $300k, 3F)

The 2 legs of this P5 are the tough “features” on this Saturday card at the Fair Grounds. Up for grabs in this spot are KYOaks Points (50-20-10-5) … game changer for some … I have 3 selections that I think offer a combination of value and sure bets. Each comes from a strong barn … Cox, Asmussen, and Calhoun. Brad Cox’s knows how to train, as he has proved that time, and time, again … I like his daughter of Nyquist, Turnerloose #7, because most do not know how truly talented, she can be. In the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies (G1) she did little in the way of running. Switching over to the dirt, after some time away, means that she is a completely different horse. Florent Geroux, the FloJock, comes to town, and he always means business. One of the scarier runners in this race is Joel Rosario’s mount, La Crete #1. Asmussen watched this filly by Medaglia d’Oro take over the Silverbulletday $150k back on 22 Jan. If she runs like that again down this long stretch, then this race could be hers. Rosario, who climbs aboard for the 3rd time, can make a significant difference. One other entry that I cannot leave out is Bret Calhoun’s Hidden Connection #11. This daughter of Connect really impressed back in the Pocahontas (G3) at Churchill in September. She did not quite live up to her reputation in the BC Juv (G1) @DMR, but I would expect her to be ready to roll in New Orleans. The Reylu G. renaissance is continuing apace, as this jockey is as hot as ever. Nabbing these 3 picks makes a ton of sense, and will get us where we need to … the finale.

Selections: 1/7/11 (3-Deep)

LEG 5: (Race 13: Dirt, 1 1/8th, Risen Star S. (G2), $400k, 3)

Rolling into the Risen Star, a KYD148 Points contest for 3-yr-olds, I am pretty confident that I have the winner in Chad Brown’s Zandon #7. I like this one “a bunch,” but probably not so much as to “Single” this son of Upstart. We have an ultra-competitive race on our hands, and when I make it to this final leg, I want to have as many options as I can afford. Brown’s entry was excellent dating back to the Remsen S. (G2), when Jeff Drown’s colt was robbed by Mo Donegal. Redemption should be coming the connection’s way, and I like the choice of Jose Ortiz. You know he is going to give this one a strong ride, and I like the fact that his mount has already taken on this distance. Looking for other “logical” choices, it is a must to include Kenny McPeek’s Smile Happy #8. The KY Jockey Club (G2) has already served as a “key” race, what with the success of Classic Causeway and White Abarrio. Now, it is the son of Runhappy’s turn with Corey Lanerie in the irons. I am not totally against this one, but I think he has much to prove. One person that will have his eyes peeled to this race is “Mattress Mack,” the Houston businessman who owns this sire. I have about 4 spots left, and want to include both of Brad Cox’s entries. He is just too expert a conditioner to be left out of a race like this one. Granted, Tawny Port #4 and Bodock #9 are going to have to step-up their games. What we do know is that they will be excellent prices come post time, and are ridden by Geroux and Pedroza, respectively. Rounding out this LP5, it would be a major oversight to miss including Steve Asmussen’s Epicenter #5. His record so far is impressive, and with Rosario aboard, he is a major player. Lastly, the Todd Pletcher trainee, Pioneer of Medina #6, might not look like much yet. Even though he is lacking when it comes to stakes starts, his HOF boss warrants respect. If he gets loose on the lead, we will see how this on-the-engine-type responds. What a race to end this card! Let’s go get this one … ready to fire!

Selections: 4/5/6/7/8/9 (6-Deep)

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Ticket: 8-9 / 2 / 3-6-10 / 1-7-11 / 4-5-6-7-8-9

.50 P5 TICKET COST: $54.00

Enjoy another fab Saturday trackside for Risen Star Day! Best of luck on another run at the Fair Grounds! Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter … Horseracing_USA !!!